by Gayle Leeson
“I know.”
I wasn’t sure Mom did know that Aunt Renee wouldn’t have left her lying on the floor. After all, Mom had made her angry and had asked her to leave. I certainly wasn’t sure about anything as far as Aunt Renee was concerned.
“I’m going to try to find a rehab facility that will take me in . . . and that I can afford,” said Aunt Renee. “Momma said she’d help me with the cost, but I’d hate for her to do that.” She turned to Dr. Kent. “I heard you say you’re a doctor. Can you recommend a place?”
“Certainly.” He took a business card from a case in his jacket pocket. “If you’ll call my receptionist tomorrow morning, I’ll have her provide you the names and phone numbers of the best facilities in the area.”
“Thank you.”
His eyes slid toward the stairs. “Please give my regrets to Bess, but I need to be on my way.”
“Thank you for coming by, Dr. Kent. I appreciate your concern.”
“Anytime. Don’t forget, I’m only a phone call away should you need my assistance.”
I walked Dr. Kent to the door. “I truly appreciate your coming by like this. Please stop by the café for breakfast or lunch sometime this week on the house.”
“I’ll take you up on that.”
When I returned to the living room, Mom and Aunt Renee were talking and laughing about what an adventure it was shopping with Aunt Bess. It was as if the years had fallen away and nothing bad had happened. I hoped that feeling would last. But I wasn’t holding my breath.
• • •
I’d just gone home and fed Princess Eloise and Rory when Ryan called to say that he was going to be working late at the station.
“Still no luck finding Mrs. Lincoln, huh?” I asked.
“Not a bit.” He blew out a breath. “Sheriff Billings even called her sister back. He’s convinced she knows more than she’s saying, but she’s as tight-lipped as they come. I don’t understand why she won’t trust us.”
“I don’t either. You’re the most trustworthy guy I know.”
He chuckled. “Thanks. I appreciate that. Could you tell that to Mrs. Lincoln’s sister?”
“I’d be happy to. Since you guys will be working through dinner, I’ll bring something over.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. We can send out for some pizza or something.”
“You’d rather have a slice of pizza than some fried chicken, pasta salad, three-bean casserole, and brownies?” I asked.
“Shucks, no, I wouldn’t rather have pizza. But I hate for you to have to go to all that trouble. Especially since I had to cancel our date.”
“All the more reason for me to show you what you’re missing.” I laughed. “So I’m cooking for two? Or are there more people there besides you and the sheriff?”
“Actually, there are four of us. And you’ll eat with us, won’t you?”
“No. I’ll come back home. I don’t want to be in the way.”
“Nonsense,” he said. “You bring enough to eat with us, or we’ll send out for that pizza.”
“All right. See you soon.”
“I’m really sorry we aren’t on our way to the movies right now.”
I smiled. “It gives us something to look forward to.”
• • •
Fortunately, I still had cardboard boxes available from when the café was renovated. I packed two of them with a foil-covered tray of chicken, a container of three-bean casserole, a tub of pasta salad, a dozen biscuits, butter, a pint of strawberry jam, and a pan of brownies. While the biscuits were baking, I’d taken a quick bath and changed into a light blue sundress. I felt very fifties domestic.
Ryan saw me pull in, and he hurried to open the door. One of the other officers sprinted over to help me get the boxes out of the car.
Sheriff Billings and I’d had sort of a strained relationship since I’d found my boss dead in her office. I thought he believed me guilty of Lou Lou Holman’s murder right up until the true killer confessed to the crime. I didn’t want to cause any discord between Ryan and his boss. But on the other hand, I was certainly not going to let the sheriff put a wedge between me and the sweetest man I’d ever met.
I greeted Sheriff Billings with my brightest smile. “Good evening! Ryan told me y’all were working late, and so I thought I’d make dinner for you. It’s the least I can do for the people keeping Winter Garden safe, right?”
“That’s mighty nice of you, Amy.” The sheriff ambled over to glance in the boxes. “That sure does smell good.”
“Thank you. If you’ll show me where to unpack . . .”
“Right here in the conference room,” Ryan said, leading the way to a large room solely occupied by a long wooden table and leather-backed chairs. “I’ll give you a hand.”
“He still doesn’t like me very much,” I whispered. “First Lou Lou, and now George Lincoln has to go and die in my café. You’ve got to admit, I look like the unluckiest girl in Winter Garden.”
“Hey, thanks a lot!”
“Except for you. You make me look very lucky.”
“You make me feel like the luckiest guy in the world.” He riffled through the box containing silverware and paper plates. “Napkins?”
“Oh, no. I must’ve forgotten them. Let me run out and—”
“Not a problem. We’ve got plenty. I’ll go grab them.”
While Ryan went to get the napkins, I unpacked the food. I decided it would be best to put the food at one end of the table so the officers could serve themselves and then sit at the other end. There was a stack of files at the end where I wanted to place the food. I pulled out a chair so I could transfer the files to the seat. I glanced at the tabs.
Amy Flowers
Philip Poston
Taylor Kent
Joyce Kaye
Thomas Lincoln
These must be some of Mr. Lincoln’s personal folders. The man certainly was old school. Most people these days would keep information like this on their phone or computer. Still, I could hardly believe George Lincoln would have a file on his own brother. I wondered if Joyce knew he had one on her.
“Will these do?”
I started at the sound of Ryan’s voice. “I—I’m sorry. Yes, they’re great.”
He frowned. “What’re you doing?”
“Moving these files to give us more room on the table. I only saw a few of the names on them, but I realized they’re the files.”
He nodded, and lifted the chicken out of the box. “Whoa, this is heavy. But I agree with the sheriff, it sure does smell good.”
Chapter 12
When Homer came in for his biscuit on Wednesday morning, I thanked him for sticking up for me yesterday.
“Thomas Lincoln is a huge man, but when he came in here looking for me, you spoke right up in case I needed to be defended.”
He shook his head and grinned sheepishly. “My hero for the day said you’ll never do anything in this world without courage. He said it was the greatest quality of mind next to honor. I was just doing what I thought I needed to do.”
“Well, thank you very much.” I smiled. “And who is your hero today?”
“Aristotle. Did you know he tutored Alexander the Great?”
“I had no idea.”
Homer nodded. “Yep. And he later started his own school in Athens called the Lyceum.”
“That’s really cool. Thanks again for being there for me yesterday. I’ll get your sausage biscuit right out.”
“I’ll always be there for my friends,” he said.
“And we’ll always be here for you.”
As I turned to go into the kitchen, Dr. Kent came in. I greeted him, and he sat at a table by the window.
“It’s good to see you, Dr. Kent,” I said. “Thanks again for coming by the house to check on Mom yes
terday.”
“I’m just glad I found her doing so well. Did your offer of breakfast or lunch extend to brunch?”
“Absolutely. I’ll have Shelly bring you a menu.”
He placed his hand on my forearm. “Before you go, I wanted to ask if things went well between your aunt and your mother yesterday evening.”
“Yes. She and Aunt Renee seemed to be getting along better yesterday than they have been in years.”
“Glad to hear it. And you’ll probably be glad to hear that your aunt did call my office this morning and get that list of facilities from my receptionist.”
“That’s wonderful news,” I said. “I hope that’s an indication that Aunt Renee is ready to make a positive change in her life.”
“I believe she wants to. But you and your family should be aware that such a change—particularly overcoming substance abuse—is one of the hardest to make and that it’ll take a lot of patience and support on your part. And please understand that your aunt might fail on her first attempt . . . even on her second or third. Just be there to help her.”
“Thank you, Dr. Kent. We will be.” As I went to speak with Shelly and then make Homer’s sausage biscuit, I made a mental note to pass Dr. Kent’s information and advice on to Jackie. She’d be in for the lunch shift, but I thought it would be best to talk with her after work.
• • •
Thomas Lincoln came in again for lunch. I was at the counter when he came in, and he strode over and sat right in front of me.
“Hello, buttercup.” He gave me a big toothy smile that reminded me of a shark. I don’t know why I saw Mr. Lincoln in such a predatory light when he’d been nothing but nice to me. Still, he gave me a bad vibe.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Lincoln. Jackie will bring you a menu in just a second.”
“Don’t be in such a hurry to run off. I enjoy socializing with the proprietress.”
“Mr. Lincoln, please, I’d love to stand here and chat, but I have work to do.”
“Of course.” He placed his hand on my arm. “I just wanted to tell you that I’ve found yours to be the best food around here. No wonder my brother was so fat.” He chortled. “I don’t think he ate here when it was Lou’s Joint, though. Or did he?”
“I don’t believe he did.”
“I heard about George wanting to buy this place from Pete Holman. See, I’ve been asking around town to see who might’ve had a beef with my brother—and vice versa. But don’t worry your pretty little head, Ms. Flowers. I still don’t think you had anything to do with my brother’s death.” He narrowed his eyes. “Now, did you?”
“No, sir. I did not. I really need to get back to work.”
“Furthermore, I don’t blame you for not wanting to go into business with George,” he said.
“The lady said she needed to get back to work.”
I looked up to see Ryan standing directly behind Thomas Lincoln.
Mr. Lincoln took his hand off my arm. Then he slowly stood and turned to face Ryan. Actually, he towered over Ryan, who was a tall man, just not as tall as the not-so-jolly giant.
“What’s the problem?” Mr. Lincoln asked. “I’m just having a talk with Ms. Flowers here.”
“And I’m just saying the lady needs to get back to her job,” said Ryan.
“I just had a question for her, that’s all.”
“Then I suggest you go ahead and ask it and then finish up your business here.”
Ryan looked so handsome and heroic that I could’ve sworn I heard a sweeping crescendo playing. Okay, yes, I was feeling a little dramatic. It was a tense moment.
“Well, I’ll just ask you both,” said Mr. Lincoln. “Did Pete Holman have a problem with my brother? I know George wanted to buy this place from Mr. Holman when it was Lou’s Joint. Why wouldn’t Pete sell to him?”
“Mr. Lincoln didn’t make any secret of the fact that he wanted to demolish the café and build a bed and breakfast on the site,” I said. “Pete didn’t want that. He wanted something of the café originated by his grandfather to remain.”
“That’s all I wanted to know.”
“Mr. Lincoln, I assure you that the Winter Garden Sheriff’s Department is thoroughly investigating your brother’s death,” Ryan said. “We would appreciate it if you left that investigation to us.”
“I just figure that in a small town like this, you might lack the manpower it takes to find a murderer.” Mr. Lincoln raised his chin so he could look down his nose at Ryan. “Do you have any leads? Can you tell me why my sister-in-law has skipped town? And where she is? I know she’s not at her sister’s place because I checked there.”
“Mrs. Lincoln has not been arrested for any crime, so she has the right to come and go as she pleases.” Ryan placed his hands on his hips. “As to her whereabouts, if she wanted you to know, I’m sure she’d give you a call. She does have your number, doesn’t she?”
“She does.”
“Good. Should you have any theories you’d like to share, please come see us at the sheriff’s department. We’ll be happy to talk with you anytime.”
Mr. Lincoln nodded. “All right then. I appreciate your time.” He turned to me. “Ms. Flowers, it was nice to see you again.”
It wasn’t until after Mr. Lincoln left that the buzz of conversation resumed in the café.
Ryan gently took my hand. “Are you okay?”
“Of course I am. You know I don’t get rattled very easily. But that man’s size alone makes him pretty intimidating,” I said. “You can be intimidating too, you know. I’m very impressed with how you handled that situation.”
He grinned. “I’m glad. Does that mean you’ll forgive me for not taking you to dinner and a movie yesterday evening and allow me to make it up to you tonight?”
“I’d love to go to dinner and a movie with you this evening, Deputy Hall, but I must say Vin Diesel will be hard pressed to live up to your performance here today. I mean, this was real life. No stuntmen, no retakes.”
“I’d like two hot dogs with chili and onion, please.” He was grinning as he sat on the stool. “On second thought, hold the onions. I’ve got a date tonight.”
• • •
As the lunch rush wound down, I began mixing up a peanut butter pie. Jackie came into the kitchen with an order for a club sandwich and homemade chips.
“You look pretty busy with that pie, so I’ll wash up and get this sandwich made,” she said. “That smells so good.”
“Thanks. I hope the customers will like it. I plan on serving it tomorrow.”
She washed her hands, dried them, and then slipped on a pair of gloves. “Granny, your mom, Renee, and I had a nice evening. I heated up a frozen lasagna for dinner, and after we ate, we played Rook at the kitchen table.”
“That sounds fun. I haven’t played Rook in ages.”
“I hadn’t either. I was fairly rusty in the beginning, but I remembered how to play and got in the groove before too long.” She took out two slices of whole wheat bread. “I mean, I’m not holding my breath, though. I know it won’t last. Renee will be gone again before long.”
“Maybe not.” I bit my lip. I felt this wasn’t the ideal time to be discussing it with Jackie—her in the middle of making a club sandwich and all—but it might lift her spirits. “Dr. Kent was in this morning for brunch. He said your mom called his receptionist and got a list of recommended rehab facilities this morning.”
“She said she was going to.”
“You don’t sound optimistic.”
She put ham, turkey, and bacon on one slice of the bread. “I’ve heard it before, Amy. She says things are going to be different, that she’s coming home to Winter Garden and plans to stay this time, and then she leaves and we’re right back in the same boat we thought we were getting out of.”
“True, but she actually called Dr. Ke
nt’s office and asked for the names and numbers of the rehab facilities this time. That’s a good sign, don’t you think? I mean, has she ever even admitted she needed help before?”
“No. But I’m not naïve enough to believe she’ll actually follow through. That’s something I’ll have to see for myself—her checked into rehab, I mean—before I put any credence in her actions.”
I put the cornstarch, sugar, milk, and egg yolks into a saucepan and turned the burner onto medium high. “I see where you’re coming from. But the other night, Aunt Renee fled the house to avoid admitting she even needed rehab, so I think she’s at least trying. I wonder what Aunt Bess said to her to get her to straighten up?”
“I have no idea. Knowing Granny, when she got tired of shopping, she threatened to call the police on Renee for kidnapping if she didn’t take her back home.”
“True,” I said with a smile. “So did Aunt Bess enjoy her shopping trip?”
“I think so. She bought a new pocketbook and a lightweight cardigan that was on clearance.” Jackie shook her head. “And she took lots of pictures to pin to her Lord, Have Mercy Pinterest board.”
I laughed. “I bet she did! How about Aunt Renee? Did she buy anything?”
Jackie shrugged. “I’m not sure. I didn’t ask.”
“Jack, you need to give your mom a break. You were just talking about what a nice time everyone had yesterday evening, but you didn’t even ask Aunt Renee what she bought on the trip?”
“Well, considering the fact that she took this impromptu trip after running off with Granny in the middle of the night and scaring us all half to death, I couldn’t care less if Renee had a skippy dippy time in Sevierville.”
“Okay. I—”
“And I’m surprised you do,” she continued. “I know you try to be Patty Peacemaker all the time, but this is your mom we’re talking about. Renee left her lying on her floor bleeding! She didn’t call 9-1-1 or anything! What if Aunt Jenna had been hurt even worse?”
At this point, I just wanted Jackie to lower her voice and not freak out our customers.
“Aunt Renee says she didn’t know Mom had fallen. I believe her. I can’t imagine that she’d leave knowing Mom was hurt. But maybe we should talk more about this once we close up the café,” I said. “I know your customer is waiting on that sandwich.”
